From Pennies to Planning: Staying Ahead of the Currency Shift
With the end of penny production on the horizon, ProFed Credit Union is guiding business members through every step — from rounding strategies to operational readiness. After more than a century in circulation, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has officially announced that it will end penny production in 2026. While U.S. pennies will remain legal tender, they will gradually become harder to find as the Federal Reserve distributes its final inventories. For many businesses, this change will directly impact how cash transactions, pricing, and coin orders are handled. At ProFed Credit Union, we’re taking proactive steps to help our business members plan, manage their coin supplies, and continue serving customers with minimal disruption.
In June 2025, the Federal Reserve announced plans to discontinue penny production nationwide.
Effective October 3, 2025, ProFed will no longer receive new penny stock from our Federal Reserve hub. While pennies will remain in circulation for some time, their availability will decline as inventories are depleted.
To help our business members navigate this change, we’ve implemented a plan focused on communication, inventory management, and operational readiness. Our goal is simple — to ensure your business continues to operate smoothly through this transition.
As pennies become less available, some retailers and service providers will begin rounding cash totals to the nearest nickel. Businesses should evaluate:
Being proactive now helps prevent confusion later — both for your staff and your customers.
If your business routinely requests coin orders, you may receive smaller penny allocations or eventually none at all. ProFed branches will contact business account owners who regularly order coins to discuss needs, plan alternative coin strategies, and provide timely updates as supply changes.
Transparency will go a long way toward maintaining trust. Update your signage, menus, and receipts to explain rounding adjustments in clear, simple language. Even small changes in transactions can become opportunities to reinforce your professionalism and reliability.
This transition also provides a great opportunity to promote digital payments — debit card, credit card, or contactless options. Encouraging cashless transactions minimizes dependence on coin supply, improves speed at checkout, and ensures precise transaction totals. In addition, ProFed partners with Leading Edge Payments to offer businesses secure debit and credit card processing through cutting-edge technology, integrating with a wide range of software and point-of-sale services. For more information, please contact us.
As a credit union rooted in the community we serve, ProFed is focused on helping local businesses adapt with confidence. We’re working closely with the Federal Reserve to responsibly manage remaining coin inventories while keeping members informed at every stage.
Here’s how we’re supporting your business during this change:
At every step, our goal is to help you focus on what matters most — running your business and serving your customers.
As the nation prepares for this historic change, ProFed Credit Union remains committed to supporting the local businesses that strengthen our community. Whether you’re reviewing your cash-handling processes, exploring digital payment solutions, or simply looking for guidance, our team is here to help you every step of the way.
For questions about how the end of penny production may affect your business, or to learn more about ProFed’s ongoing efforts to manage this transition, contact your local ProFed branch or visit profedcu.org/business.